Naomi nodded when Meena had finished speaking.  She knew how difficult this
must be for the young mother.  To have a reprieve for her son, and then
watch it melt into mist again.....  But the same chances had to be offered
to Lars and his sister as Demee had been given.  And then there was Greta.....


"I know what you are saying, Meena. But that only puts off the inevitable. 
Eventually there will be another clutch and we will need to face this decision 
again.  It might be best to face it now, when we have a time advantage,
rather than later.  We can't make any decisions until I've spoken to
T'grat....."


"And Greta?"  Meena asked tensely  "I know what she'll say about leaving
Lars with my father, and I know I'm being unfair, but I can't help thinking
that this would have been better kept secret." 


There was a hitch on Meena's voice that let Naomi know how close the young
woman was to tears.  Naomi put her arm around Meena's shoulders trying to
ease some of the fear and bitterness she was feeling, but Meena pushed
herself away from the comfort....


"Greta has to be told before any decisions are made on her behalf."  Naomi
said reasonably.  "Think how you felt Meena!  You escaped your father's
harsh rule by putting another woman and her family in your place.  They
-must- have the same opportunities that you and Demee have been given."


"But Greta's almost certainly too old to Join, Naomi.  Why raise her hopes
only to dash them again?"  Meena's tears at the unfairness were spilling
onto her cheeks now  "Lars is settled where he is.  Is it fair to uproot him
again for a remote chance his mother....."


"I promise you that no decision will be made without consulting you, Meena.
But I'm going to talk to T'grat this evening..."  Naomi held up her hand
when Meena would have protested more  "I owe him Meena!  Just as I owed you
my help when Harkon tried to take Demee from you."


"That isn't fair Naomi!"  Meena said bitterly  "Demee is just a baby... you
had to help him!"


"And Alyne?  How old is she to be living under the conditions your father
imposes on her mother?" Naomi asked gently  "Conditions you fought against
for your son?"


Meena moaned and sank down into a chair, her face buried in her hands.
Naomi sat beside her, silently offering comfort, knowing that eventually the
girl would admit the truth in what was being said.  Naomi held her and
stroked her hair as she sobbed out her anger at life.  When she caught
A'shair's eye over Meena's head, she just shrugged helplessly.  Who knew
what would happen in future?


<NRPG  Justin... does A'shair have anything to add?>


<..>


When Meena finally calmed down, Naomi asked A'shair to escort her back to
her apartment.


"That's if you've nothing else planned of course."  Naomi apologised for
imposing on him  "I really don't think she should be left right now, and I
have to go look in on C'rrin and Ryloth....."


"That's OK, I really don't mind."  A'shair said as he opened the door,
allowing Meena to precede him  "I have some business on that side of the
warren anyway."  


As he hurried after Meena, Naomi reflected on how much easier he found being
amongst people these days. T'grat had made a good decisions when he'd chosen
A'shair as his second.  The man was becoming less fearful, more sociable.


"It's good to see isn't it?"  G'raint said, seeming to read her thoughts.
"A few weeks ago he'd have hidden from something like this, afraid of what
folk might think."



"Yes I know."  she said with a warm smile  "I sometimes wonder what his life
was like before he came here you know.  Oh I know the facts about the ill
treatment he received...."


"From what Lilliana has said it must have been ten times worse than he
actually allows anyone to know about.  Still he's here now... and accepted."
G'raint grinned at her  "We seem to attract the more...er... unusual
candidates here at Norwall."


"Oh there's an understatement!"  she laughed  "A'shair, Meena, Darrkon...."


"Ah but he wasn't a candidate."  G'raint protested


"But he's here nonetheless.  Then we have Aleipha."  Naomi sighed  "I wonder
if T'grat has thought to explain the implications behind her joining with a
male dragon.  Do you know?"


"I don't think he's had time yet.  There was the concern about Ryloth...
that's pushed most things aside today."  His face was grave as he mentioned
the small dragon  "Have you thought about who you're going to assign to help
C'rrin, Naomi?"


"Not yet.  Did you have someone in mind?"  she asked him curiously.


"Well.... yes actually."  he said, embarrassed  "I thought I might do it...
that's if you don't mind!"


"You're a life saver G'raint."  Naomi kissed his cheek quickly  "If you
really don't mind then it would be one less thing for me to worry about.
Have you had a chance to meet C'rrin properly yet?"  he shook his head
"Come on then.... I'll take you down and introduce you.  He's a nice young
lad, and I think you'll like him..  It seems so unfair that this should
happen to him..."


They headed for the barracks......


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst


NRPG  If anyone has any ideas about how to deal with this business of
Greta's affinity... just jump in.  Don't be shy!  :) :) :)

-- 
Les,  the voice and soul of

Timi Caplain  CMO    USS Javelin        T'beth  Counsellor     USS Magellan 
Lillith the Mage         Broken Lands      Minty, Kirimith's rider  Dragon Lands
                          Caliban, Lute's human,  Dragon Lands
Naomi, QueenRider to Amethyst, Norwall's WarrenLady,  Dragon Lands

 http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/5902
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